Darden is actively committed to sustainability ... our business depends on available, affordable, high-quality natural resources. Through the Darden Foundation, we partner with organizations that conserve and restore water ecosystems, create and maintain community gardens that promote food security, and protect and preserve open spaces. Some of our partners include The New England Aquarium, The Everglades Foundation and National Recreation and Park Association.

Learn more about how we are creating value while balancing the well-being of our society, our environment, and our business — now and for generations.

New England Aquarium

Founded in 1969, the New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. The Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Programs aim to protect the world's ocean resources by raising public awareness and by working with the seafood industry to advance sustainable practices within wild-capture fisheries and aquaculture operations. Through fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations, the Aquarium’s long-term vision is to achieve healthy global ocean ecosystems that support a rich diversity of ocean resources for current and future generations.

Since 2006, the Aquarium and Darden have partnered to improve the environmental sustainability of Darden's seafood supply and catalyze broader industry support for sustainable seafood. With the support of the Darden Foundation, the Aquarium is also working to improve ocean health with the development of the Ocean Health Index (OHI), a tool that assesses the state of the world’s oceans, identifies areas of risk, and guides efforts to promote sustainable use and management of marine resources.

The Everglades Foundation

One Mission. One Priority. Protecting America’s Everglades

The Everglades Foundation leads protection and restoration initiatives on behalf of America’s Everglades — the water supply for 7.5 million Floridians. The vast Everglades ecosystem provides millions of people with world-class fishing, camping, hunting, bird watching, hiking and boating.

Through leadership, advocacy and scientific research by a team of scientists and experts in the fields of biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic chemistry, hydrology and engineering, we advance Everglades ecosystem knowledge and strategies with a focus on water quality improvements

In 2012, the Darden Foundation provided significant support to further our work on developing a Phosphorus Exchange Program to protect Lake Okeechobee and its watershed, while also providing economic incentives for farmers who implement sustainable practices. Darden’s support will enhance efforts to improve water quality, while maintaining a viable agricultural economy.

National Recreation and Park Association

Since 2012, Darden Foundation has provided $483,000 to support the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). NRPA’s mission is to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. NRPA, www.nrpa.org, represents community parks in the United States through its network of 105,000 local parks and more than 40,000 members. Together, parks and recreation touches the lives of more than 300 million people across rural communities, suburban neighborhoods, and urban centers.

Darden Foundation’s support has expanded NRPA’s Great American Trails and Grow Your Park programs. Great American Trails projects are restoring and sustaining trails and open spaces, making communities more livable and allowing families to come together in nature. Grow Your Park projects are creating and enlarging community gardens, providing healthy produce to food banks and other organizations serving those in need. LongHorn Steakhouse is engaging their restaurant teams in this effort locally.

Darden’s support generates several benefits to these communities. The improvements to trails and open spaces promote healthy lifestyles by increasing access to activities such as hiking, running, and biking. The expansion of community gardens contribute to good health by providing garden plots for fresh produce to be grown, nutritional education, and distribution of fruits and vegetables to low-income families. These efforts also help to protect wildlife, guard against pollution run-off and provide shelter to air-filtering plants – conserving important natural assets throughout the nation.